close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed near finish
slowly into stride, raced in last place, ridden over 3f out soon weakened
pulled hard in rear, ridden 3f out, kept on not reach leaders
led 1f, chased leader after, ridden over 3f out, led just inside final furlong, headed towards finish
steadied start, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead near finish
keen, led after 1f, ridden hung left and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
There's nothing to choose between Basra, Art Man and Mataram so we'll abandon the lot of them and take a chance on another Ed Dunlop runner, Royal Jasra. Like Arabian Spirit in the preceding race he lacks a recent run which is a minor cause for concern but he certainly has the scope to be a factor here and is the least exposed runner in the field. The handicapper appears to have given him plenty to do on the bare form of what he's achieved but he won his maiden in good style and it looks significant that connections have decided to persevere with him. Mataram may be able to reverse course and distance form with Basra but there's little to choose between the pair whilst Art Man and Mataram were only narrowly separated when bumping into each other in February. Art Man's come from behind style makes life hard for the handicapper but also means that he needs the cards to drop right for him. Not an easy race to call, we'll go with Royal Jasra.
Basra (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) In touch, led 2f out, kept on gamely, won at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Apr beating Mataram (8-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
Birkspiel (GER) 50-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, pushed along and struggling early straight, 8th of 9, 17l behind Jamboretta (8-6) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Mataram (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Held up, headway 2f out, chased winner final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, nk behind Basra (8-8) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Apr.
Indicible (FR) (9-2) Led 2f out, easily, won at Pont De Vivaux 1m 3f 3yo hcp in Apr '07 beating Takla Makan (8-13) by 5l, 10 ran.
Art Man 9-2 (9-0) Held up last, ridden over 2f out, good headway 1f out on outer, strong run inside final furlong to lead final stride, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar beating Awatuki (9-1) by a hd, 6 ran.
Fly Free 6-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 20l behind Robustian (8-6) at Southwell 1m 3f hcap (4) fbs in Apr.
Royal Jasra Evensfav (9-3) In touch, headway to track leaders over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on, won at Haydock 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gf in Sept beating Pearl (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Dushstorm (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, last approaching 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong to take 2nd final stride, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Nawamees (9-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Apr.